nce because the data is passed to the Emerts Mobile
screen.
Buffalo Police Department Technology
Good technology and communication means more effective law enforcement and
emergency response. Our goal is to keep officers in the field and get the
information they need to safely make critical decisions-fast.
In order to succeed, advanced data integrity solutions are in place to
ensure administrative work flow efficiency within our department.
Software Solutions
The Buffalo Police Department uses LETG, a public safety software solution that
provides staff with the allowance for information sharing amongst applications
that avoid unnecessary duplication; safety and security measures; and advanced
data integrity solutions. The
Web-based nature of these products provides full access to both RMS and the
Mobile applications from the field, where it belongs. All of these
applications are accessible with a basic Internet connection (and the right
security access). The eMERTS Suite provides various modules for data
storage, organization, and reporting.
Following is an explanation of the modules and their functions
eMERTS,
Records Management System (RMS)
nce because the data is passed to the Emerts Mobile
screen.
Supplemental reporting capabilities, media attachments, and case management
functions are found within our RMS. Another unique feature is the robust
and user-friendly evidence tracking and property inventory bar coding system.
Critical
information that has already been entered into the system through eMERTS™ Mobile
does not have to be entered again by administrative personnel. This avoids
duplication, increases the efficiency of work flow and streamlines the
administrative process. The administrative support staff will spend less
time entering data and more time verifying the accuracy of data. With less time
needed for data entry, support staff can focus on other critical tasks that
affect officer effectiveness and public safety such as crime analysis and crime
mapping.
Features
eMERTS Mobile
The eMERTS suite of products includes a mobile component that directly
interfaces with the RMS. This has several advantages. Data that is
generated in the car (i.e. electronic citations, crash reports, impound forms),
can all be automatically transferred into the incident files for later retrieval
- data entry is eliminated in these circumstances. The terminal allows
officers to retrieve information regarding drivers, vehicles, warrants, and send
messages to other officers.
In addition, queries that are run from the mobile application are
accessible from the desktop, making report writing and data entry more efficient
and simplistic. This also aids in the reduction of data entry errors, as
the imported data is error free. This intuitive application offers our
patrol officers the necessary information to keep safe and the tools to be more
effective and efficient while performing their duties. A department's
operational capabilities and effectiveness will be significantly augmented
through: state of the art sophisticated mobile technology that utilizes field
based reporting, automated ticket writing, messaging, AVL,
GPS, and GIS functionality which will allow for greater efficiencies and greater
response capabilities.
Features
eMERTS, Field Reporting
The Field Reporting application is a robust solution that allows police officers
the ability to initiate and complete their reports in the field electronically.
Virtually every reporting capability (impound sheets, accident reports,
diagrams, and offense reports) can be completed in the field with automated data
field population to eliminate redundant entry.
Completed reports are directly forwarded into the RMS application through our
secure wireless connection, which again eliminates additional data entry
processes. Recorded statements, digital photos, and other media can be
uploaded from the field directly into RMS.
eMERTS, Accidentwriter
This application allows our patrol officers to complete the vast majority of an
accident form using information returned from motor vehicle queries.
Acidentwriter has been shown to reduce accident scene times from an average of
20 minutes down to an average of 5 minutes.
eMERTS, Ticketwriter
This
module facilitates the generation of electronic traffic citations. The citation
is then printed to be issued to the driver. The driver and vehicle data is
automatically imported into the LETG RMS system and the court record system.
This module enables officers to issue a citation in approximately one minute.
Furthermore the citations no longer need to be scanned by office personnel
because the data is automatically imported.
The ease of writing tickets does not encourage officers to write more
citations; it allows our officers to focus on other tasks.
The automated Ticketwriter module includes three citation capabilities.
Verbal Warning
Information about a particular person’s driver license or vehicle information
imports into the Field Reporting Module from Minnesota Driver and Vehicle
records and officers
select the driver and vehicle from the drop down list. The officer then selects
send to RMS. This sends the information to a new incident record in RMS. The
officer then types a small description of the offense in a pop up box.
Written Warning
Information about a particular person’s driver license or vehicle information
imports into the Field Reporting Module from Minnesota Driver and Vehicle
records and officers
select the driver and vehicle from the drop down list. Officers then enter the
location information and select written
warning from the drop down list. The officer must select an offense for the
written warning. The ticket printer will print a written warning and send the
information to a new incident record in RMS. The officer then will enter a brief
synopsis of the offense in a pop up window.
Citation
Information about a particular person’s driver license or vehicle information
imports into the Field Reporting Module from Minnesota Driver and Vehicle
records and officers
select the driver and vehicle from the drop down list.
Officers then enter the location information and select
citation from the drop down list.
At this time they also select whether or not the option to attend
Drive Wright is allowable. The
officer must select an offense for the citation. The ticket printer will print a
citation and send the information to a new incident record in RMS. The office
then will enter a brief synopsis of the offense in a pop up window.
Features
Statute Search
This feature is loaded in each of our squads for our officers to quickly look up
statutes by a keyword or chapter.
Warrants
Tool
Officers can draft search warrants quickly by using the BPD Search Warrant Tool,
created by one of our own! Through a series of input boxes the officer can enter
the pertinent information about the warrant. The tool then generates a search
warrant using the entered information. The tool is able to generate most
warrants right from the squad car.
The officer then has the capability to email and/or print the warrant right from
the squad for a Judge’s review and signature.
MESH,
Mobile Wireless Network
This is the backbone of our system, where it all starts with high
speed wireless service.
The mesh is a series of inter-connected wireless communication radios which
transmit computer data to our mobile computers.. There are approximately 100
MESH radios distributed throughout the city.
The MESH is a self-healing system, which means that if a radio fails the other
radios pick up the traffic. Self-healing also means that a mobile radio can
receive data from various radios, which allows the computer to move (in a car)
while still receiving the data. Additionally,
our officers connect over an encrypted wireless connection.
OFP
Full access
Officers can access on-file Orders
For
Protection from the squad car. This
allows the officers to determine quickly if a violation has occurred.
APS,
Pawn Automation
enables law enforcement agencies to share pawn/secondhand transaction
information electronically; ultimately increasing the recovery of stolen
property. APS allows rapid, direct
access to all pawn and secondhand transaction detail in the central repository.
APS provides a number of functions that
assist investigators with developing useful suspect information and aid in the
identification and recovery of stolen property. This application is available on
the office workstations within our department.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services
provides us with vehicle licensing, titling, and registration information for
forfeited vehicles. Our staff has a
secured access to driver and vehicle records attainable in the squad and at the
office workstations.
Crimnet
Resources
CriMNet is a state-level program that works with Minnesota state and local
agencies to make accurate and comprehensive criminal justice information
available to criminal justice professionals in law enforcement, the courts and
corrections. CriMNet is not a single database or technology solution. It exists
to coordinate information sharing from a statewide and potentially nationwide
viewpoint – known as the “enterprise” view – so that systems can work together.
This requires the development of statewide standards for data, technology and
business practices and methods for agencies to access and understand those
standards which CriMNet provides.
MNCIS, Minnesota Court Information System
The Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS) was designed to provide
integration services so information can be consumed and supplied between the
courts and other criminal justice business partners.
Our office workstations have access to this system and we often access it
to follow up with cases and determine ownership of property.
In
the squads or in the office, we use Portals to access the following:
CBC Credit Checks
Our Records staff has the ability to conduct
credit checks through CBC. This is used when requested for multi
housing background checks. Detectives use this as investigative tool in
fraud, theft cases also.
Crime Reports Online
Buffalo crime reports can be accessed online at
http://www.crimereports.com. After
selecting the area for which you want to search, the incidents are displayed
using various icons. Each icon identifies different event types.
Data from calls for service are automatically formatted for crime reports. A
final check of the data is performed to ensure all information regarding certain
types of confidential information are not distributed.
Online Crash Reporting
Using online crash reporting has reduced crash report time to approximately 5
minutes. These reports can be completed in the car using the mobile MESH
network.
The crash reporting software is connected the Minnesota driver and
vehicle records; the information about a particular person’s driver license or
vehicle information imports into the crash report.
Mapping Capability
Nearly every address in
Buffalo and the surrounding townships can be found on our electronic mapping
system. The call data from eMERTS
also has the address encoded, which allows an officer with a few mouse clicks to
locate the call geographically. This is especially useful in making a stealth
approach to an address; officers don’t need to see the house numbers to know
which house is the subject of the call.
The mapping system will also map the locations of squad cars. Global Positioning
System (GPS) sensors encode the
location of squad cars-see below
Squad cars are identified by unit number. An individual or all units can be
mapped.
Gov QA
This is a Citizen Support Center for
Buffalo residents that support all incoming citizen request for Service and
Information, and all outgoing Communications for notification and feedback.
Accessible to citizens at any time of
the day, specific to meet each department’s needs, centralized to provide a
complete view of all government support activities and completely automated to
improve efficiencies and streamline costs. GovQA
requires only internet access: with no hardware to buy or complicated software
to learn. Visit the City of Buffalo
website and click on the Services tab, drop down and choose Service Request.
Hardware Solutions
M6 Mobile Computer System
Designed for the harsh environment of Public Safety vehicles, the M6 is known
for being the brightest, thinnest, and most rugged touchscreens available for
vehicular computing. The M6 features a removable SATA hard drive, eSATA port,
and ExpressCard slot. Internal WAAS-enabled GPS, Wireless LAN and Broadband
Wireless options are available.
Keyboards
This isn’t your standard keyboard!
Our keyboards are heavy-duty construction needed to withstand continuous
in-vehicle use. The keyboard is separate from the display allowing easy access
by either vehicle occupant. The
keyboards feature extra large letters and adjustable backlighting to provide
superior day and night visibility. An integrated glide pad or similar pointing
device is included in all models.
Displays
All M-series displays are sunlight visible and can be easily adjusted for any
lighting condition. The rugged scratch resistant touchscreen puts critical data
at our officer’s fingertips. The high resolution, digital (LVDS) displays are
extremely clear and specially designed for wide angle viewing. Each display also
features active thermal management and integrated stereo speakers.
Printers
Our squads are equipped with two printers.
One printer exclusively prints citations and a PENTAX PocketJet printer
is a full-page printing solution that prints all department forms.
Features
·
3.5" Ultra-Bright Color Monitor (1000 NITS)
·
Covert Rear Seat Camera with IR LEDs
·
GPS with Mark Feature
·
900 Mhz Audio Transceiver
·
Internal Microphone & Speaker
Other Squad Equipment
Squad Radio, VRM Data Radio, MESH Radio, Power Box, Charge Guard, LED light bar,
Radar, cellular phone, flashlight
Digital Recorder, Olympus DS-3000
Our officers carry digital recorders to dictate reports and record statements.
These units are another tool allowing officers to work in the field and
be on the street where they are needed.
Digital Recorder, Olympus DS4000
These units were recently purchased for our Administration and Investigations.
Olympus’ most advanced professional digital recorder yet is slide switch
operated for ease of use, stacked with premium features and enhanced DSS Player
Pro Dictation software for outstanding performance
Digital Child Keeper
is an Identification solutions package to keep our young community safe!
Offered by the Buffalo Police Department to help parents create and
maintain important information relating to their child/children, child
information, medical conditions, medical and dental contacts, emergency
contacts, digital fingerprints, and a digital picture are all captured and
stored on a CD. The CD is given to
the parent with the ability to keep the information up to date.
Looking Forward
eMERTS Mobile PDA
Utilizing an automated real-time interface with
RMS , data will be accessed and pushed directly from a field unit PDA.
Duplication is avoided and efficiency is increased, streamlining the
administrative process.
eMERTS DynaForms
LETG’s latest Field Reporting line up offering is Dynaforms. This
application gives the officer in the field the ability to complete an electronic
version of any department form or document from their vehicle. These
electronic documents can be used as separate documents or integrated with eMERTS
RMS. These forms will be available
in each squad for completion online.
Once completed the officer will have the capability to upload a copy in
the case file, print a copy, and email the form to any facility from the squad.
Forms currently in creation:
Animal Impound Form
WI-Fi
If you've been in an
airport, coffee shop, library or hotel
recently, chances are you've been right in the middle of a wireless network.
Many people also use wireless networking, also called WiFi or 802.11 networking,
to connect their computers at
home, and some
cities are trying to use the technology
to provide free or low-cost
Internet access to residents. In the
near future, wireless networking may become so widespread that you can access
the Internet just about anywhere at any time, without using wires.
The CAD system, is a next generation call dispatching system designed for the
dispatch center that requires graphic mapping integrated with real time CAD
operations.
CAD is a map-driven (ESRI based) computer-aided dispatch tool that speeds
critical response times and improves emergency resource management.
The CAD "Information on Demand" design allows dispatchers to minimize navigation
through the application and enhances overall performance and effectiveness.
CAD supports multiple agencies, works across jurisdictions and through its open
architecture, provides effective integration of applications such as radio
consoles, E911, and mobile data and records management systems.
Features
Research and Development
Voice Recognition Software
As the demands for police report writing continued to increase over the years,
departments like BPD have looked for a technological solution. During the
winter of 2004-2005, the Buffalo Police Department researched and tested a voice
recognition software product, Dragon Naturally Speaking. This product was
tested in conjunction with the report writing process at BPD, and was completed
as a partial requirement for a Masters Degree being pursued by the Chief of
Police.
There were two items of specific interest that occurred during this research and
testing process. First, it was determined that there was little to no data
available concerning similar studies. Second, it was determined that the
use of this product did not provide results that could significantly impact the
report writing process at the Buffalo Police Department.
For those who would like to examine this study in depth, you can
click here.
Please note these are
lengthy documents. The Main Thesis and
Appendices have been separated to improve download times.